How to Season and Care for Cast Iron Cookware

Get that cast iron pan out of the cabinet and give it new life!
Here are some products mentioned, though I believe you could find many of them locally:
The cast iron chain mail scrubber: amzn.to/3syOPpg
My first cast iron pan: amzn.to/3SHpynz
Avocado oil: amzn.to/40G1YJJ
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[@futurefolk9919]

My husband and I have taken to giving a cast iron pan as wedding gift with a note explaining why. As you spend time cooking with this pan, you are not only seasoning the pan you are seasoning your marriage. You are creating memories, creating meals together as a family unit. No one else's hash browns will taste like yours. You are creating a legacy whether you realize it or not. Many blessings to all🙌💞

[@AssGasGottaBlast]

that's lovely!

[@suzieq962178]

i love this! i just got married and purchased my first cast iron pan on our honeymoon!

[@stephaniewilson8706]

This is beautiful but now I need hash browns

[@dawnwilliams8766]

Love it!

[@christinecrispin6553]

Wonderful idea!

[@mariabeaulieu3732]

As a child, I would stand and watch my French grandmother make pancakes for what felt like an hour for her 24 grandchildren. She would make her pancakes on a very flat, round cast iron pan. I had never seen another one of these pans until about 20 years ago at a flea market. When I saw it, I gasped and had to have it. I now make her special pancakes for my step kids on the identical pan that she used thinking of her as I make them. ❤

[@jmordant444]

I assume since she was French, that she used a pan specifically for crèpes.

[@lisalink6976]

That’s what I make pancakes for my grandchildren on. 😊

[@Sparkie-Lisa]

I have the round flat griddle pan and it is lovely to use!!

[@michellenorris211]

Me too! My grandmother had what sounds like the same pan and I used to ask for pancakes which she would cook on that very seasoned flat, round cast iron pan. I am lucky to have it now myself.

[@YT4Me57]

I have the same pan, left by my grandmother.

[@loriromine2759]

My favorite cast iron pan was one that was found by my dad at an old abandoned homestead he was in charge of clearing. It was soooo rusted. He brought it home, I was maybe around 5, (I’m 60 now) and him being so excited he found this 12” pan with a lid! He scrubbed it out, greased it up and built a big fire then stuck the pan and lid into the fire. It came out beautiful. It’s still gorgeous to this day!

[@MyriciaLaRease]

It’s so refreshing to know I’ve been doing it right! 😅 I’ve always LOVED cast iron pans but had never owned or cooked in one myself until I was hired to care for an awesome woman age 68! We met on unfortunate terms but grew such a sweet bond over the 6 months I cared for her. She taught me how to cook her favorite breakfast in a cast iron skillet, how to clean it, oil it, bake and seal it! The one I used in her house she said she’d had for 25 years! When our time was up, she was having to downsize and pack up a lot of her cookware. I was surprised when she wanted to gift me 4 of her old cast iron pans! In various sizes, all older than me at the time. That was almost 4 years ago now, and I use them all with so much pride. I feel so blessed that she TRUSTED I would take good care of the pans she’d loved for so many years. And I am! Now every time I use one, I think about my little lady and all her sass 🥰. Thanks for sharing Jess!

[@kellybesse7116]

My first cast iron pan was giving to me by my maternal grandmother, Dorothy Pauline. Her mom, Oma Cook, gave it to her as a wedding gift in 1950 when she and my grandfather were married. It’s a three notch Lodge. I was terrified to use it until I started watching Roots & Refuge. It became my every day go-to. I mentioned to my paternal grandmother, Bernice Naquin DiMarco, how much I loved using it. She then gifted me all of her cast iron. I’ve got Wagners, griswalds, lodges, and gatemarked pieces that were handed down to her from her mother and grandmother. They include cornstick pans, cornbread wedge pans, dutch ovens, trivets, waffle makers, skillets, kettles, etc. Now I almost exclusively use their pans or some newer ones that my husband gave me as gifts for different occasions. When Hurricane Ida destroyed our home in 2021 several of my cast iron pieces were affected. I still need to reseason my lesser used pans. I’m from Louisiana and food is how we show others we love them. What an incredible blessing it is that I can make lovely meals for my family using pieces of cookware from different parts of my family. We gather around my husband’s grandparents’ table, to enjoy meals made in my grandparents’ and great-grandparents’ cookware in our home surrounded by the love and sweet reminders of generations that came before us.

[@jcriverside]

What a lovely story (not the Ida part, of course)! I'm so happy for you that you have those meaningful & awesome pieces.

[@Romans828girl]

This is beautiful. I have a question, though. How do you handle acidic, tomato-based things? Do you use cast iron for those? What about soups and stews? If you can boil a cast iron pan to get rid of the seasoning (learned that in another video), how do you boil food in it without having to reseason it?

[@kellybesse7116]

@@Romans828girl I have enameled Dutch ovens that I use for soups, gumbo, and tomato sauces. I also have a stainless steel set that I’ll use pieces from as needed. I typically cook pasta in my stainless. I’ve boiled water in my cast iron skillets to remove stubborn stuck on food without damaging the seasoning.

[@kimshomesteadclassroom5379]

Cleaning tip: boil/simmer water in your pan while doing the rest of your dishes. Once your sink is empty, run the hottest water you have and use a brush to scrub the remaining bits out of the pan. Set it back on the hot (but turned off) burner and let it dry. Ta-da, super simple!!

[@allynhouse]

exactlly what I do !!!

[@maryjohudson8059]

I always let my cast iron sit on the stove top overnight before storing them in the bottom drawer of the stove.@@allynhouse

[@lindap9079]

After washing I pop my pans in the toaster oven, set it for toast. After a few minutes its completely dry.

[@kate8701]

That’s what I do too 😊 they come out lovely and clean every time! Then I pop a tiny drop of oil on them

[@kathypeterson9699]

I hosted a bridal shower that was a "pounding". The concept is that you bring a gift and a pound of something to use with it. For example, you purchase towels and laundry detergent, cookie sheets and sugar, etc. One grandmother gave her granddaughter her coveted favorite cast iron skillet with a bag of cornmeal and her cornbread recipe. It was such a special moment to pass down the secrets of the memories that they had made together in the kitchen.

[@ambethk77]

What a wonderful idea!

[@angelarogers1395]

My cast iron story or rather nightmare! I store my most used cast iron pieces in my oven because the oven is still warm and dries out my pan after cleaning. This one time, I turned the oven on self-cleaning mode and forget to remove my favorite cast iron pieces! 😁 When I realized my mistake it was too late:( As you all know, you cannot open the oven until it cools back down! When I opened my oven, I found some crispy rough awful pans. I literally cried. 😭 Long story short, I followed Jess's great instructions and after tons of blood sweat and real tears, my cast iron is back to its original glory! Never give up. Most cast iron can be restored and become your favorite go-to

[@laurabillings7156]

My grandfather, my Grampy, gave me a large cast iron skillet that had been HIS mother's. He carefully showed me everything I needed to know in order to use and care for the heirloom. That was 40 years ago, and I joyfully use that skillet every day. I'm now teaching my grandchildren how to treasure it, not as a trophy placed on a shelf but as a valued kitchen tool.

[@JMK_Fam]

Story I don’t really have. I do however find it amusing that as an older teen/ young adult I thought cast iron and homesteading was for “old people” living in fear of their past (depression/war). 13 years ago I got my first chickens, now here I am milking the cow and collecting all the cast iron cookware I can, because this lifestyle is one of beauty and peace. Wouldn’t change it for nothin’ ❤

[@AngelaSissySnyder]

When our house burned down in 2018 wildfires the temp was so hot not even my cast iron skillets survived. When we moved into our new home nearly a year later my sweet hubs bought me every single size pan made I think! I have a frying pan wall now that I absolutely love and every one of those skillets gets used. They are well loved! That is my best cast iron story. ❤

[@melissabruschi5378]

I managed to destroy my 25 + year old skillet by forgetting I had it on the burner drying it. A piece of my heart broke a little that day, it was my favorite pan that we were given as a wedding present. Devastated!

[@AngelaSissySnyder]

@@melissabruschi5378 aww I’m so sorry. That hurts my heart for you too.

[@AngelaSissySnyder]

@@melissabruschi5378 aw I’m so sorry you lost your skillet! That was a special one to be sure. Thank you for your kind words 🤗

[@ChickadeeMountainHomestead]

My cast iron story, I remember as a small child my grandmother who I called Nanny. Cooking in this one specific cast iron pan. It was different looking than the rest. When she passed away I was able to take this cast iron pan home with me. I still use it to this day. She told me it was her mother's cast iron pan. So I know at least it is 3 generations old!! My husband also has one from his grandmother that belonged to her mother. So we have two that are three generations old!! I just love it! ❤

[@CarolynOfria-hn3ty]

My cast iron story started 41 years ago. Out at a garage sale looking for baby clothes, I found a very burnt cast iron pan for .50 cents. Brought it home, cleaned it as you did, and seasoned it. It is still going strong, and I am now teaching my 5 year grandson about cooking using it. Love your new channel, and even someone who's cooked for many years can learn something new. I will now be using avocado oil to season my pans. Blessings

[@hshepherd45]

I really love that you are starting with the basics on this channel. I know you already did it on R&R but doing a version of kitchen appliances and cookware for this channel may be helpful to a lot of new people.

[@The_Farmers_Table]

Great suggestion!

[@alanawemple6074]

I just got a new food processor today. I've been without one for a couple of months and realized just how much I use it.

[@amandar7719]

Yes! Oh. And for those starting out on the journey of cooking from scratch, my tip for keeping costs down on utensils is buy/thrift the more affordable plain wooden spoons and remodel them. Drill a 1/4 “ hole in the (flatish) bowl of one or two that make for excellent sauce stirring. Saw or file off one edge for ease of stirring bottom of pan or scraping out like a spatula. Long handled spoons are great for stock pots but can be cut down to size to fit across one’s most-used pans or to fit unimpeded in the cutlery tray of a dishwasher. Don’t worry about needing to have fancy bespoke/hand crafted wooden utensils to begin with that shouldn’t be soaked or put into dishwashers. Keep food-grade linseed oil on hand to wipe washed and dried wooden spoons. One needs it anyway for the breadboard or cutting boards that aren’t used for meat. Maybe Miah could show and tell the safe and easy way to modify wooden spoons or spatulas. I suggest this because I still use wooden utensils modified by my grandfather from WWII. 😃 Along with more recent ones modified by me. 👍🏻

[@tammykaltreider]

I actually have my great grandma’s cast iron collection and I’m in my sixties! It ain’t scary at all y’all 🤍🥰

[@lbrown6859]

Thanks for sharing Jess. My favo rite piece of cast iron is my flat hoecake pan I call it. My granny used to whip up some homemade biscuits, in about 2 minutes, and placed them on that flat skillet, and put them under the broiler. Meantime I whipped up some tomato gravy in our regular ci skillet. It was so delicious. Brings back precious memories. We would do that around midnight! Lol So years later, when my granny passed away, I asked my aunt for just one thing of granny's, you guessed it, that flat hoecake pan. I didn't get it right at first but several years later, my cousin brought it to me. And I treasure it 🥰

[@michellewhitmore8347]

This is the best cast iron care tutorial I have ever seen! I love how simply and practically you explain everything. I feel confident to take on my several neglected pans now! Thank you!

[@OldFarmRoots243]

My family has owned our farm since about 1855. There are several “dumps” on our farm that I frequent to find “treasures” 😊 one day after a rain storm I went out to find things and found a cast iron pan with a cast iron lid in the ground. Probably used by my great grandmother until she got something newer and more modern for the time. It’s my favorite pan now and I treasure it knowing someone in my family used it and cooked meals in it

[@MJ-ji4tt]

Thank you Jess for dissolving my cast iron fears. And thank you for starting this new channel. You inspire me in my waiting room classroom everyday ❤

[@kimshomesteadclassroom5379]

I’m so grateful that I got over my fear of cast iron!! One of my favorite things is finding pieces at estate sales that’ve seen years of use and love. Not only is their seasoning THE BEST but they make that *romantic* old-timey vibe come up in me when I cook 💕

[@AshleyByTheOcean]

Thank you for this!! When I was preparing for and recovering from cancer surgery last year, I was living at my mom’s house, two states away from my home. She was going through boxes in a closet one day and found my grandmother’s cast iron chicken fryer pot that I remember her always cooking the home fries in on Christmas morning for the big family breakfast at my grandparent’s house. I’m going to use the knowledge you shared to finally clean up the pot and make home fries in it for my family this Christmas 💜

[@rosemaryclark610]

I'll never forget, while living in Ethiopia, the day that one of our employees proudly showed me the cast iron pan she had worked so hard to remove every inch of the black off of. She thought we were cooking with filthy pans, haha! I can't imagine how long that took her to do, and how hard she had to work at it. It was a nice shiny silver color by the time she was done with it. I re-seasoned it and it worked like a charm, after that. Yes, we had a good laugh over it, and yes I explained that the pan is intentionally like that :) I love my cast iron pans, but am finding that they are getting harder to lift as my wrists become older. Will use them as long as I can. I love cooking casseroles in the oven with them too. Or roasted veggies. Yum! But for searing......cast iron is like none other.

[@jcriverside]

Try a thicker carbon steel. They are much lighter than cast iron, but more quick to respond to temp changes, so keep that in mind. They sear really well too, same nonstick once it's seasoned. I like de Buyer (on sale!) because they're thicker (heavier than other brands, but not as heavy as cast iron). As my wrists age, I'll probably use carbon steel when I need a larger pan.

[@michellerose6721]

My problem was pulling the heavy pans out of a cupboard- too much weight on my wrist. If you hang it on the wall, the pans are easier to carry, one-handed. The other thing I did was buy the old pans, Wagner and Grizwold, they are so much lighter and smoother than Lodge pans.

[@rosemaryclark610]

I have taken to putting them in a cupboard that is waist-height. That way I don't have to bend down or reach up to get them. Works for me! :)@@michellerose6721

[@vickijent5704]

I have 2 cast iron pans that belonged to my brother who passed a couple years ago. He bought these as a teenager and put them with his camping gear. Then, as he got older, they became his only pans to cook in. I grew up with mom only using cast iron. Cast iron pans make all food take better.❤

[@susankirby4607]

I have my Grandmother's cast iron frying pan, which also has a cast iron lid. She was in a nursing home for several years before my Mom and Uncles cleaned out her house. All the grandkids were told to make a list of things we wanted - no guarantees if we'd get all the items on our list. My top 2 were her push petal, Singer sewing machine (on which she used to make dresses for me and my sisters) and her cast iron pan - I got both!!! I always think of her when I use the pan or walk by the sewing machine in my foyer. Both will be passed down to my kids.

[@diannamc367]

I absolutely love the items you picked! Your siblings don't know what their missing!!!🥰

[@plantdaddylady]

Thank you for not gatekeeping homestead skills with a bunch of hard and fast rules. I had analysis paralysis for YEARS over the simplest things from trying to do them perfectly following the most expert rules and opinions that at some point only gain 1% increase in output. The law of diminishing returns if you will. I have now leaned into the mentality of "the best quilt is a finished quilt", "the best time to plant a tree is yesterday", and of course "let your waiting room be your classroom" ❤

[@hillbillyshadetreefarm5732]

Mama always cooked in cast iron. When I got married 50 years ago, I registered and was gifted 2 different size skillets. When Mama passed away, I took 2 of her 4 skillets and gifted the other 2 to my niece and nephew. Her skillets are serving multiple generations. ❤ - Rhonda p.s. there is nothing better than a pan of fried taters w onions!😊

[@jade-d314]

I had a friend who, many years ago, had a kitchen fire. The fire department came and drenched her kitchen with water. When she dug through the debris, she found her cast iron pans completely rusted through. She took some steel wool to them, re-seasoned them and they were just about good as new, and she continued to used them. I've been sold on cast iron ever since.

[@conniea9201]

Good morning from a very cold morning in Massachusetts I was gifted my first cast-iron skillet from my grandmother, I will quote her " every good cook needs a cast-iron skillet " That was my wedding gift from her ❤ I've had my skillet for 42 years, and she was so right, I use my skillet for everything, when my son was ready to move out, I asked what he needed or wanted, he repeated my grandmothers quote to me 😊, all he wanted was a cast-iron pan, he gave me a hug and said that he appreciated all the meals that came from my pan, he also wanted to be a " good cook " I can't tell you how happy that made me ❤😊

[@sarahmcqueen2319]

My mother gave me an old rusted cast iron soup kettle that she and my step father found on the farm they purchased. They found it in the barn and my stepfather said “that should go to Sarahie”. He has since gained his Angel wings so I treasure it so much. Thank you for this video ♥️

[@hazzardoustime1968]

Thank you for this video. I’m ready to pull out all the cast iron I inherited from my Wonderful Tennessee in-laws and get it cleaned up and seasoned so I can use it on the daily. I love using tools in the kitchen that remind me of loved ones- my granny’s potato salad bowl, a great knife from my mom, and cast iron from my wonderful mother-in-law that came to her from her parents and grandparent. I am surrounded by history and love. ❤ thanks again!

[@beru1972]

Years ago soaps were made mostly of lye. Lye and cast interact and it would/could damage your cast iron pan. If you use a liquid detergent that is free of or contains very little lye, you are safe to use it on your cast iron pans. Just look at the ingredients for sodium hydroxide. ❤

[@whispersofwillowpixi]

💜when I asked my mother-inlaw how to care for cast iron, Is when she started warming up to me💜

[@gigihenderson8567]

My cast iron story: Dutch Oven cooking. I got a “set” decades ago which had a Dutch oven with the charcoal lid, to use as a camp oven. Fast forward many years and just this past month, we introduced our new Scouts BSA scouts to the joys of making desserts in Dutch ovens. They are completely enamored and want to use them all the time!

[@yogiflowerdragon]

I'm back 10 days later to share that I now love using my little cast iron pan. Bacon the first few times, a few grilled cheeses, and eggs the first time this morning. It's so silly the joy I get from finally feeling confident in using a cast iron pan 😊❤ Thank you!

[@trishkeane7586]

I have an old Griswold skillet and an old chicken fryer that belonged to my Granny. She used them with love and I was lucky enough to inherit them after she passed. They even survived a house fire where we lost everything. Right now, they only need to be reseasoned but I will continue to use them with love and hopefully my son will use them after I am gone. Thank you so much for teaching us about how to properly season and care for them.

[@brandeegoodnight532]

I was blessed to get my cast iron from my grandmother. Every time I use it I think of her and the joy she would have that I’m cooking her recipes with her cast iron. Warms my heart 💜

[@brandyh3536]

I actually went and found your old cast iron blog last Friday and restored 2 old rusty pans someone gave to me. I havent cooked in them yet, but they're seasoned. Thank you for easing our cast iron fears❤

[@angelad.8944]

I started with a little pan. Big enough to fry two eggs in. Got it for a dollar at a second hand shop. It was in really good shape and cleaned up so nice. My husband fries his two eggs in it every morning. It gets a rinse once a week. A seasoning once a year. That was my gateway pan. 😁

[@reneeclark1826]

I just have to tell you you have inspired me so much. I am 60 Going to retire soon and wondering what I was going to do. I like gardening but new to it. but now I know what I want to do. So while I’m in my waiting room, waiting to retire and have time to garden, I am learning how to cook from scratch from you, so I just want to tell you thank you so much. You have given me a goal and a dream. Thank you.

[@Sparkie-Lisa]

I LOVE my cast iron pans and have several! My oldest belonged to my Great Grandmother and came with her from Italy and is at least 100 years old now. It's one of my most used, most prized possessions! I also have a griddle/ skillet that I used every morning for pancakes or eggs and have had it for over 35 years. I have 2 dutch oven pots with lids that I use when deep frying or campfire cooking. Yep, I use them over an open fire too. You never have to worry about those melting from the flames!

[@NatureInspiredSnipsnSnaps]

beautiful history you have mentioned, love cast iron pans and your right about the deep frying, but never thought about the dutch oven pots being deeper and better than the pans for deep frying, I will have to clean my dutch one up and try it, great idea, thanks.

[@janethamil9337]

I have used and been around cast iron all of my 72 years and she is telling you right. They say not to put them in soapy water, my mom always did and so do I. I use a metal type scrubby on it and it works wonderfully. Listen to Jesse, she knows what she is talking about.

[@Dragonfly20233]

I love these videos so much! Thank you for doing this channel. I feel like I am getting the chance to re-mother my younger self in learning things my mom didn't have the capacity to teach me. At 45 you are helping me grow my confidence in things I have always wanted to know how to do but was embarrassed to admit I didn't.

[@nancycowan6109]

I made your spatchcocked chicken last night in my cast iron pan. It was the best chicken I’ve ever made, and I’m not kidding. Love this new channel! ❤️

[@The_Farmers_Table]

Great to hear!

[@sashafeline7249]

I’m making the spatchcock chicken tonight for my first time in my cast iron! Because of Jess’s video! Yay! ⭐️🥰

[@judiland7772]

I will have to search for her recipe of the spatchcocked chicken. The only time I’ve seen it prepared is at Trader Joe’s and I preferred to use as many organic ingredients as possible when I cook.

[@nancycowan6109]

@@judiland7772 It’s pretty straightforward. I think it’s all about taking the temperature and pulling it out of the oven. The spice ingredients are simple. And simply delicious!

[@YazmineM528]

When I bought my house, my great aunt who I've learned all of my gardening & canning knowledge from gifted me with 5 cast iron pans. They've been sitting on my wood stove because I've been TERRIFIED to mess them up, but this really helped dissolve my fear and I'm going to start using them!

[@tommcstacker4216]

Have you used them yet. How'd it turn out?

[@YazmineM528]

@@tommcstacker4216 It went great! I made bacon and sausage Christmas morning and my family loved it! Still working on adding them to my daily arsenal, but they aren’t sitting dusty in the bottom of my cabinet anymore😊

[@tommcstacker4216]

@@YazmineM528 Right on!

[@chickadeetree]

I started my journey into cast-iron 3 years ago and I fumbled my way through researching how to season/care for it. This video is so informative, and exactly what I wish I had in my back pocket when I was fumbling through figuring out that cast iron isn't scary! Thank you, Jess, for being the one to help others and give us your encouragement and first hand knowledge. I now have a wall full of cast iron that is used daily and I won't go back.

[@adelechlebeck1587]

I am very blessed to have two of my great grandmother's cast iron skillets. The twelve inch pan lived permanently on my stove and gets used every day. The little egg pan is for my littles to cook in. They love it and I can only imagine how happy my great grandma Elizabeth would be.

[@taraconroy6631]

I've made that olive oil mistake and boy did it smoke up the kitchen 😅 So glad you detail your process so well for your viewers! 🍳

[@TheLifeMidwife]

Same! Did you reseason it, or just keep using it?

[@carolechamberlain1766]

My story started when I was a young mom. (My family cooked with cast iron) my husband, baby & I went to a yard sale, in the late 1980’s I saw a box of rusty cast iron for $1.00. My husband thought I was out of my mind but, we bought the box. I used 1/2 of a potato with salt and oil & seasoned the many pieces. Talk about legacy pans. Both of my kids are grown now & when the left the house …My husband & I gave them the cook book learned to cook from (Fanny Farmer) & they each got 10” skillet from that yard sale box. As you know I had a fire & rest of my cast iron from the yard say box survived and I scrubbed & seasoned this time using steel wool this time. I re-seasoned them an all is well. We were out of our home for over a year and a half but, I’m happy to say I’m cooking with my cast iron again. ❤🌻

[@deadbreakfast7714]

Good Morning Jess!!! Almost 8 years ago when I got pregnant with my daughter and i decided I wanted to start becoming more self sustainable. I asked for a cast iron pan for xmas and my mother in law bought me a 12 inch lodge. I also didn't know how to take care of it lol it was trial and error but it's come far and Im proud to say I now own 8 other cast iron pots and pans and ill never cook on anything else!

[@melissasekely5107]

Oh I gotta share this with my youngest, he’s adorable lol he just noticed my cast irons that I haven’t used in a while because I don’t have a good place to put them so they’re under the stove and they are so bad! But he cleaned a couple of them and he just cooked eggs in one of them the other day he’s 11 and really loves cooking and garden fresh veggies, he’ll love this channel ❤️

[@CBOWERMAN]

I grew up watching my granny and my mom use one or more of their cast iron pans to cook every meal. When we went camping in the summers, Mom even packed a few of her pans in our gear so that she could use them to cook on the campfire. When I moved to my own apartment in the early 90's, my grandmother gave me one of her pans to help kickstart my own collection. I knew how to care for it and how to cook on it. But of course one pan wasn't nearly enough so I decided to go buy another. I hunted all over for a good black cast iron skillet. I went to every store I could think of that carried housewares. I found plenty of cast iron options, but none were black and shiny like my mom and Granny's. The next time I went to my Granny's house I told her all about the unsuccessful hunt for a pan of my own. I listed all the stores I'd gone to, all the places I'd searched, and then I finally said, "I found them everywhere, but none of them were shiny and black." My granny got a good laugh about that and called my mom so I could tell her all about my failed attempt to build my cast iron collection. Finally, once they finished giggling at my expense, my Granny explained that the pans I'd found were the right ones but they just hadn't been seasoned yet. She and I went to the store and picked a couple out for me to start my collection and then went back to her house and she taught me how to season a new pan, and gave me the same advice you did in the video on what to do if my pan showed signs of rust or if I was lucky enough to run across a piece of cast iron at a garage sale. Since then I've built up quite a collection, with everything from loaf pans to Dutch ovens. I still use the pan my Granny gave me along with the ones we seasoned together, and all of the ones I inherited when she passed away - some are pans that her mother and grandmother gave her. Sometimes when I'm cooking or caring for my pans I think about that day when she got such a good laugh at my expense and then turned around and taught me a lesson I've used hundreds of times over the last thirty years. Every time I think of that day I smile through my tears. Thank you for your lesson today. You just gave a 'Granny Miller' lesson to lots of people who will always remember it.

[@user-bu4mp1me9w]

Oh goodness I have lovely memories of my childhood helping my grandmother cook in cast iron. I inherited close to 20 pans and they are in need of help. They have been just sitting here for years. You see, I am one of those who is intimidated by them. I really appreciate this video! It’s time to breathe new life in these pretties! Thanks so much for the info Jess!

[@justuskirwa6857]

Good morning Jess. Always a joy to receive the immense knowledge and wisdom you share.

[@dcnorcal]

My favorite cast iron story is one that many people have. One day while garage selling I spotted an old rusty cast iron pan and the gentleman sold it to me for $1.00. Now this story wouldn’t be that great if it were a lodge (still a great pan) but that cast iron is a Wagner number 8 and is hands down my favorite pan in my arsenal, after some elbow grease and tallow. ❤

[@laurasimon6573]

I learned to cook in a 6 inch cast iron pan at the age of 5. My father was from Norway and oils make us Norwegian pancakes in the winter . I was 5 and he had a stool for me by the stove and handed me this pan and thought me how to make the pancakes. It took two hands for me to lift and turn the pan . I am 59 now and still have my little pan and use it. It is like glass on the bottom I have no way to know how old it is because it was seasoned and has no imprint left to read . Thank you for the tutorial it’s great . My father use to say only cook in cast iron because it’s healthy for your blood the iron . 😊 I miss him. Be well be blessed and happy thanksgiving to all.

[@lizzjelsma4441]

I grew up hearing often a story of my great grandmother and her cast iron pan. Her husband had run off and left her and their son behind for three years while he was off starting a whole other family up north. One day he showed up unannounced at great grandma's house while she was cooking breakfast. He got in the house and tried to force himself on her so she used what she had and dented the guys skull with the cast iron pan she was making bacon in. He lived but never bothered her or my grandpa again. I grew up hearing that story, first from her, then from my grandpa, and since from my mom and dad. It is a well known antidote in our family. A couple years ago my husband and I started down the real food road and I learned to love cast iron but couldn't afford a bunch of new stuff. I'm telling my mom one day about this and how I wish my grandma's cast iron hadn't been lost because I remember her having so many. That's when she tells me she has never used it because she doesn't know how, but she has a box of old cast iron in the garage. We get the box of rusted, orange cast iron pans and Dutch ovens and as I am looking over them and cleaning them I noticed something. One of the pans has a welding mark on the rim where it has clearly been repaired. Now my great grandma and my grandpa have both left this world long ago so we will never know for sure, but we have good reason to believe that this is that very pan that put a sizable dent in my great grandma's ex's head. It might not be, but what I do know is I was lucky enough to get all her old cast iron, so one of them must have been the culprit. And tell you what, that fixed pan has made us some of the best breakfasts since.

[@mikepuckett746]

Glad you started this new channel. We cook almost exclusively with cast iron. Most of our cast iron pans had belonged to wife's grandmother, so we have some that are at least 100 years old. You can bever go wrong with cast iron.

[@kristimpson1995]

I have my mothers cast iron fry pan, very heavy. I can remember her making the best fried chicken in it as a small child. Like you I have a glass cook top and I wasn’t sure I could could use such a heavy pan on it… now I want to give it a go. Thanks Jess. Love this channel❤

[@mojoflyingsolo639]

I found a 8" griddle in a falling down shed out behind my house and it was a rusty pitted mess. My husband took it to work and sand blasted the crap off and I seasoned it up and is now my pancake griddle. When my father passed away I got all of his cast iron skillets. I am a proud owner of several hand me down cast iron pans. That is what I learned to cook on when I was growing up. I always wash them them dry on a heated element so the pores open up and all water evaporates then I coat it with oil while it is still hot and wipe any excess off and put it away when it is cool. There is nothing better than cooking corm bread in a hot cast iron skillet, it gives you that crispy bottom. Now I am going to have to cook me some corn bread. Using the left overs in my stuffing for Thanksgiving. Thanks Jess for bring back those wonderful memories.

[@jimshirey2293]

Beth here...I have to stack mine so I put paper plates in-between them. In my twenties I was helping my Gram while she was at work and washed her dishes, including her precious cast iron pan in soapy water. I scrubbed the hell out of that dirty thing LOL by the time she got home from work that darn thing was already rusty in the dish rack 😳 Boy was she not happy with my help! I have since learned why it was so precious to her with my own pans.

[@bethgaither1214]

I LOVE this channel! I clean (or scrub) my cast iron skillet with a small hard rubber square thing that I think came with my Pampered chef pizza stone. I have since seen them sold at the grocery store. I have always promptly dried them and stored them. Thank you for the tip about putting them on the stove to dry thoroughly first AND if stacking to put a towel between them. My skillet was brought into the marriage from my late husband, so I treasure it. ❤

[@fourdee]

I love that you give the WHY behind things and tell what will happen otherwise. And “the worst that will happen”. Very encouraging ❤

[@jackcsaffell5641]

Love your new channel Ms. Jessica. I'm not throwing her under the bus but here's my story. While my brother and I were out and about my sister-in-law was "kind" enough to wash the pots and pans that we had used for breakfast ..........in the dishwasher. I coulda choked her if I wasn't so flustered. After the 4 hour cycle was over I showed her what she had done to my cast iron. She didn't seem fazed in the least. Anyway, that was long ago and I've forgiven her but that don't mean I forgot about it. When you talk about storing your cast iron, I'm pretty sure it's me but I put my 3 most used cast iron pans in the oven after I've washed and dried them. They "usually" get removed if I have to bake something but that's still where I store them when they are not in use. God bless this new channel.

[@stephaniewilson8706]

My cast iron story, like my gardening story, started with your channel. Several years ago, recovering from surgery, dreaming of the garden, I found your channel and binged everything. You had a video about cast iron and I thought: “maybe one day; when I have money to spare.” A couple years later, a family member called me and asked what I’d like as an engagement gift. I requested a cast iron pan. Honestly, I’ve abused it and it’s not the best pan, but watching this video I realise I can fix it. The reason I love it though is that the first steak I ever cooked in it, was the first steak that made me decide I’d never pay for steak in a restaurant again. It was so crispy and juicy and good. Still think about it even though I’ve since made many wonderful steaks in it

[@dhansonranch]

Interesting video! I use stainless steel scrubber on mine, but like you said...you gotta be careful. When I went into my first rental home in school, someone had left a cast iron dutch oven in the cupboard. It was unbelievably rusty and rough, both inside and out. With very little money as a poor student, I took it to my folks and sanded it down and reseasoned it and used it. That was many decades ago and it is still my go to for sourdough and roasts! Good video.

[@samanthahoos9827]

I love that you did this video literally the day after I said I was scared to buy cast iron. Now can you please do a follow up on what each pan/pot size is good for what on the menu? I want to buy something for sourdough loaves, cooking on top of stove to into oven in one pan for big meals, etc. I’m just totally lost when it comes to sizes. Thank you! 😊

[@laurakay709]

buy pans based on what you eat.

[@ourbackwardshomestead9155]

I bought a really small one that was a brownie gift set for a gift a few years back. Now I'm wishing I would have got myself one because it would be great for fried eggs, now that I have chickens.

[@carolynstreet5325]

I have been adding to my cast iron collection and use it almost exclusively. Many years ago my dad sand blasted a very old skillet that had many layers of baked-on grease, and I still use it to this day. It's well over 100 years. I am really enjoying this channel. Thank you.

[@kathyaakananabluebird]

I am 63 and my grandmother and grandfather had cast iron pans from my Grandpa Roy's grandmother Mary. She was born in Missouri in 1860 just 6 months before the Civil War, married in 1878 and she died 1942. We figure Mary got her Griswolds about 1878 the year she married. I still have some of those pans as well as a wagon train era thick cast iron water/tea kettle that you hang over a fire outside! That may have belonged to one generation even earlier.

[@deborah0357]

My grandmother died in 1981, when I was 24, and my mother gave me her 3 cast iron skillets. Back then, I didn't know anything about caring for cast iron. My mother had always said she never learned to cook from her mother, so I grew up with processed foods and Teflon Pans. Initially, I cleaned them in soap and water and minimally dried them. I tried to fry in them and it stuck. I scraped it and I'm sure I destroyed the seasoning. I just put them away. In the early 2000's, I learned more about how to use and care of cast iron; I actually bought a Lodge 12" skillet and griddle. I restored my grandmothers pans. I gave one to my brother and I have 2 remaining. I love that they are smooth, compared to my Lodge. I love that I have my Grandmother's pans and when I'm gone, if my son doesn't want them, they will go to one of my nieces or nephews.

[@sharonknorr1106]

My favorite pan is a cast iron that belonged to my dad - he used it when he and his buddies went deer hunting every year. It is well-seasoned and has high sides. So far this week used it for home fries, biscuits and cornbread. It is a treasure and I think of him when I use it.

[@ajgreen_74]

I have all cast iron. Most of mine were gifted. Working in homecare for many years. Individuals I cared for would gift me the coolest and nicest things. Cast iron being one of them I let my neighbor borrow my 12" skillet pan. (years ago now) he didn't have any pans. He washed it. Used it outside on his fire pit grill. Left it out. Got rained on. Like not just once, like weeks! Eek! It was full of water and orange to boot! My cousin told me to have a fire in the pit. Let the coals get nice and red hot. Spread them all out as evenly as possible, lay your cast iron and let it burn all the rust and clean it beautifully. Brand new! Of course, let it cool. Then do all your steps! I really like the avocado idea. I am waiting on a 14" currently. So I'm going to do my own seasoning and try your method! I just saw your video in my feed and watched it all. I appreciate you for this. I learned something new Happy New Year to you and yours 🎊🤍

[@sandyacrefarms4356]

I love cast iron, grew up with my grandma only using cast iron! When I got married to my husband my mother in law gave me my first cast iron skillet, the special thing is that it was her first cast iron gifted to her when she married my father in law at 16!! It’s my favorite cast iron!! A few months ago we were clearing a field for our cows, as the tractor was working my 11 year old son yes for them to stop, when they stopped he ran to my husband (his dad) and told him the tractor was about to run over and bury a cast iron skillet, sure enough he was right. My son came running in the house with this very dirty and rusty cast iron and told me the story. I’m assuming it was left from the people who we bought our home from 🤷‍♀️. I got it cleaned up, seasoned and is now one of the iron skillets I use almost daily! Love the story behind it to!! He knew his momma would love it!!

[@paula388]

You were totally the one who gave me the courage to take out my cast iron pan and use it for the first time. I bought it in 2003 and never seasoned it. I saw a cast iron education video of yours last year and you legit eliminated all my fears about using one. Now it’s the only pan I ever reach for.

[@COUNTS1096]

The best way I’ve found to totally clean a cast iron pan and start from scratch - Give any rusty areas a quick scrub with steel wool or a scouring pad and then put it in the oven and run it through a self-cleaning oven cycle. Will be completely clean of all old seasoning and be a clean slate for re-seasoning. Love your new channel, by the way.

[@FaithfulFarmstead]

I have my Grandmas small skillet that she cooked eggs in every morning. My Mom remembers it from when she was a kid so it’s over 50 years old. It’s my family’s favorite egg pan! It’s so smooth and cooks so well! Cast iron is definitely a legacy piece!

[@belieftransformation]

I’ve got my mom’s cast iron pan that I didn’t use for years, & tried using it again about 3 years ago because I realized it was healthier cookware. Thanks to Jess & other good KZbin people, I’ve learned to season it correctly & I’m 71 years old! You can teach us older ones, too! I bought a Lodge 7 quart Dutch oven a few years ago to bake my sourdough in & love it! However, I did use olive oil in it & it got caked on! I contacted Lodge by email to see if I could clean it in my self-clean oven & they said yes! It worked but I really had to season it again! Blessings to everyone 🤗💗🇨🇦

[@tonjapembrook1132]

As I listened to you talk about being able to save cast iron even if it’s been left outside for 2 months and is totally crusty with layers of rust, it struck me that this is just like us and our relationship with Christ. Even if we’ve neglected that relationship and we’re all crusty and the rust of our life has become an infectious disease to everyone that we come in contact with, we can still be saved. We can still be salvaged. We can still be made usable and we are still cherished by the One who values us, even in our rusty crusty stage.

[@myurbangarden7695]

Good point.

[@tbrac489]

I had a similar revelation while watching a video of a rug being cleaned. It was definitely something most would toss so quickly, but the young man doing the cleaning, took his time and did what was necessary to get that rug looking like new again. God is so good and patient and kind and loving towards us…even in the moments we don’t deserve it and others have written us off. #tfs

[@marissachristensen4993]

Thanks for this!! ❤

[@rachelr9272]

Amen!

[@tonjapembrook1132]

@@tbrac489❤

[@carissalizotte8977]

I am officially a convert! 😂🙌🏽 I used to be intimidated by cast iron and now it’s all I want to cook on. 🥰 enameled cast iron also really has its place IMO.

[@user-ml3qb8bn6n]

My grandmother gave one to me as a wedding gift in 1974. She bought nothing but the best, so I'm sure it was the finest of pans with a glass lid. I was young and did not know how to care for or appreciate it, so when it rusted from improper care, I tossed it. Oh how I wish I had that pan now!

[@ashlynnpate5563]

My favorite cast iron pan is from my grandmother. I only took that skillet and a few Pyrex dishes when my papa passed away. It makes the most beautiful biscuits and was given to them as their first wedding gift. I always say I have a little of my nanny’s love when cooking. She was known for her food and her love language was feeding others. Growing up we always had people over and Sunday lunch was a hit. God gave her talents in her hands and her voice. I hope to be half of who she was. On days that I miss her I make biscuits in that cast iron and gravy like my papa. 3,3,2 is the secret to gravy. 3tbps fat, 3tbsp flour, 2cups of milk and as much pepper as heart tells you. 3,3,2 and gardening came from my papa and has shaped me into who I am. Arkansas girl here and I have been following you for years. Got to see you at Conway library a few yrs ago along with Jill. I love the new channel it’s going to flow so well with Roots and Refuge!

[@angiehomeschoolmom3269]

I obtained my first set of cast iron when we purchased a fully furnished house. It had a bunch of Griswold pots, pans, and even a waffle iron! I loved that stuff!!! I purchased some Lodge cast iron to add to my cast iron collection and didn't like the preseasoned finish compared to my Griswold's seasoning, and it was so much heavier. I definitely prefer my Griswold pieces!

[@eleisabarbour]

Would also appreciate seeing how to best use the clay/stone pans. I have a cupcake pan and a round low sided pan. I always use muffin cups but would love to know how to use it without paper. Have never used the round one :) Thanks so much, I love my cast iron especially my most used shiny bottom skillet.

[@fannyfreckle]

Hands down…best video OF ALL TIME on this subject, thank you! My generational cast iron is actually ceramic coated and is nearly 100 years old. While it’s always been used for everyday cooking, the pan has always been referred to as the Pineapple upside down cake pan. So much so that when it came time to hand it down, it was given to me (despite me being the youngest) because making that cake was always my responsibility for family gatherings, so naturally, the pan was mine. I was also given the generational “blue and white” China platter…ONLY used for the cake, and the only platter acceptable for putting the cake on). ❤️ As far as my other cast iron, that’s what I asked for our wedding and the first one I got was from a dear friend (and landlord and of 16 years). ❤️ This video was so helpful and informative! Not just a “how to” but clear info on WHY. ❤️

[@marybk882]

We bought an abandoned hoarder property about 12 years ago. The house, mobile home, 2 garages, a shed and the entire yard was filled with stuff. Among that stuff were several cast iron skillets. We had no knowledge of cast iron at that time. While we were cleaning out the house of salvageable items before demolition, we literally tossed the rusty pans out the window! One shattered. 😢 We got smarter and decided to research these pans. A few were Griswold! Long story short, we use these pans all the time, have collected more, and built a beautiful display area on a kitchen wall. I get to admire them every day.

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

Love this. Even when you season a new pan it takes a good bit of time to be perfect. Work with it and it will be well worth it.

[@mistygrider7825]

Yes !!! I just googled this the other day !!! My husband always does our cast iron seasoning needs 🤷‍♀️🤗 but I have been trying to hone some olden forgotten skills in the last few yrs & Jess you have helped me in so many ways ! I feel like you are so full of so much knowledge I need & I thank God he put you in my sight .🙏 It always seems like when I'm questioning something you are right there telling me . Thank you 🤗 you are so much better than Google

[@diannamc367]

Don't disparage Google too much. Going to Google with chicken care questions is how I found Jess!🥰

[@mygardendiary]

My great great Mexican Grandmother gave her daughter a cast iron pan when she moved on. My Grandmother then gave every daughters as they moved on one cast iron pan. When I moved on my mother gave me one. It was the only things we cooked on growing up When I was given mine, my mother said “This will last you forever , but if need be, a man does you wrong than smack him over his head with it”. My mother used it to to cook us many dinners and once put my father in place”. Cast iron traditionally means Mothers feeding and taking care of daughters… But in our family it was a back up for us woman. I have not had to use it yet. Maybe a Mexican thing. Thank you for teaching how beautiful it is to cook everything on them.

[@MorePranaGardens]

My first cast iron was my grandmother's. She was my best friend and we found excuses to spend extra on long distance calls. Teaching me how to season my cast iron was one of those excuses. She also talked me through my first turkey, my first rice, mashed potatoes, all the basics.

[@melaniewhittington7857]

This was a great explanation of using and cleaning cast iron. My grandmother told me they use to start a fire and put the pan in it after rubbing fat on it. Guess what I’m still using her skillet and no I don’t put them in fire. Thanks for the tips about avocado oil. ❤️

[@kimwood6632]

I got my first 3 at a garage sale and they were about the condition of the one you just got. Seasoned them and 10 years layer haven't had to do anything but re oil after use just like you showed. I paid $5 for all three, one was a griddle. Love them!

[@vickifletcher4651]

I love cast iron. I inherited a lot from my mom who is 93 but they were her mothers and mother in laws. I have a 12 inch cast iron skillet that I got from a flea market. Because it was cracked completely through on one side I got it for free and am going to have a picture of the old barn on my dads dad side. that barn was built in1776. I grew up on that farm. So it is real special. not many people got to grow up with parents grandparent and aunt uncle and cousins all living on the same farm.

[@medicvaldez]

My story..After 10 years in EMS as an EMT then medic, I left the job to take care of my mom who had Alzheimers. The station I spent 3 years at had a kitchen with an amazing large CI pan, that had been there for 20+ years, that I always said how much I loved. On my last day, the fire cap't that shared the quarters with us had me come into the kitchen as I logged off my last shift and handed it to me. I burst into tears and have it to this day. It sits proudly among my other billion, but it is, and always will be, my favorite. ❤❤❤❤

[@bridgestew]

There is a cast iron pan or two that has been passed down from my grandfather to my mom, onto us. It is the only pan permitted to be used for making Irish Soda Bread, which is a tradition in my family to make every year around St. Patrick's Day. They have had periods of time when they have looked pretty rough, but the fact that these pans have lasted 3 generations is a testament to how amazing they are!

[@jeanrichards8042]

Way to go Ezra, such a young man to use the word "mesmerizing" appropriately... and way to go mama (and dad, I'm assuming) for teaching him such words and how to use them! BIG round of applause from me!!!

[@missmollycollie911]

LOVE your statement about peoples homes burning down but their cast iron survives!!! So true!!

[@allisonhubble8118]

I love my cast iron. This past weekend we visited the Lodge cast iron factory/museum in Kimball Tenn. Of course I bought something! However, the pride and joy in my kitchen is my grandmother's cast iron pan that she received in 1915 as a wedding present. I use it nearly every day. As for seasoning, I've been using food grade linseed oil since I read a how to about it on America's Test Kitchen. The finish is nearly indestructable.

[@deniseeldred4901]

I have also used linseed/flax seed oil on my pans but it smokes too easily.

[@fareebug8439]

I'm so glad you did this video! I've had my cast iron collection for 2 months - just stalled about seasoning them to use them. ❤ Thank you!

[@didcluv2004]

I'm so happy you started this channel. I've been looking for some more inspiration for cooking (currently just for 2), and this is exactly what I needed! I can't wait to see what else you post!

[@yvonnefernandez3344]

I have a Great Great Grandma's cast iron skillet. And I still use it. My family has always washed cast iron skillets with hot soapy water. You just make sure it's good and dry then wipe it with a little oil if needed. And I will pass all my cast iron on to my daughter. Nothing is better than a Pineapple upside down cake made in a cast iron Dutch iron skillet.

[@user-ue4zy7bb1y]

After a hurricane on my father n laws property several buildings were damaged. As we walking the property accessing damage with him. I noticed a cast iron pan in the dirt where a shed once stood days earlier. He said it must have been there from previous owners. It was seasoned so well it didn't take much to bring it back to life. This pan always brings me back to that beautiful piece of property he once owned.